Why manufacturing leaders should care about implementing a strategic, formal approach to S&OP

S&OP is a business management process that leading organizations have been using for the past 35 years to connect corporate business planning with tactical planning—driving master scheduling and distribution planning, in order to support the business plan and meet demand. However, depending on who you ask, it can either be viewed as the “be-all and end-all” answer to supply and demand challenges, or just another business methodology that fails to live up to expectations for the business.

Which is it to you? Have you ever considered implementing a formal approach to Sales and Operations Planning in your manufacturing organization?